Four deaths in 5 days-and it's not Midsommer

[GordonA]

There would be a public outcry if people were involved.
But it's just horses at Cheltenham

And we have the Grand National pending
2 deaths last year I think.

On the day that the first unfortunate horse was killed at Cheltenham, a very stuck -up horsey type ( Female, I think ) was interviewed on screen at the course, and was asked if it was a problem, she replied, with her snout up in the air, that it was "extremely sad, as it left a gap in the yard, which the owner and the trainer would have to fill ", cold-blooded basta&d !!

[suehugh]

Whether it's a thoroughbred horse or not, it seems wrong to race the animal into the ground for the sake of entertainment. I am not against horse or dog racing. Bit I think with all the money swilling about in dumb animal racing, more could be invested in making these races safer. Not necessarily for the riders. It's their choice and they are aware of the risks.
Last years G.N. Two horses died . In one race.!
Some minor amendments to the jumps would not detract from the spectacle and greatly reduce the risk
The recommendations exist.

The abandoned animal issue could be greatly reduced by regulation and enforcement. It's got to be government backed rather than rely on charities. All animals to be chipped. (Apart from stick insects)
Owners to have a licence. Funding for criminal enforcement to come from the licence fee and a racing levy.
Simple.

Vets fees :
Don't get me started. £1700.0 last year. £300 so far this year. (Luckily our vet gives us a quantity discount)
 It's our choice to spend that money, but there is a limitation as to how you spend. There are plenty of  (vets, but no real competition and price clarity.
Perhaps competition from Pets At Home and the like may be the start of the revolution here.

[johntaylor49]

The racing organisations do need to consider the welfare of the Horses and not have ridiculously dangerous courses and the real answer to Animal welfare is, as has been suggested, licensing and accountability and if the Government feel it is too expensive to administer I am sure that the Private Sector could show them how this can be achieved within the licence costs!

Interesting about the Vet fees, one would perhaps be forgiven for thinking that "a real Doctor" has to be so much more qualified than a Vet and therefore shouldn't be able to make so much money, but, actually, it is much harder to get into Veterinary Colleges than it is Medical School! I know of a number of Doctors who really wanted to be a Vet but had to settle for being "a proper Doctor"! So, I suppose, its "supply and Demand" in the pricing area, but I have seen my local Vet frequently reduce the fees dramatically for an elderly  Pensioner with a sick dog/cat and I feel you have to have a pretty high level of "humanity" to specialise in the treatment of "Animals"  

Bonzo

[Jacqui Harvey]

A few years ago our local Vet came up to my neighbour to castrate two horses, the horses were brothers.  As soon as the Vet injected the first horse it collapsed and died.  He had overdosed it.  My neighbour was very distressed. The Vet immediately called the Knackers Yard and had the horse removed.   When the neighbour's husband came home he rung the Vet to complain.  The Vet would not admit liability and the horse was then gone.  A couple of weeks later my neighbour received the Vets bill of £100.00. for "Treatment to a Horse"
This is the difference between a Doctor and a Vet.  A Vet can kill his patient and get away with it.

[suehugh]

I am not criticising the vets too much as ours have been helpful to us in terms of quantity discounts and indeed compassionate care beyond the norm at times.
BUT BUT BUT. There is no real competition as the prices are not transparent until the point of use rather than beforehand. we pay a flat £27.0 for a consultation per cat.*( Other treatment charges are a mystery) I don't know how this compares. My fault I know, I could ring round, but prices should be published on line by now I would have thought..
Another thought for licences to own animals. They should be issued on the basis of income/ assets. if you cant afford 7 cats ( as we had), you should be licensed accordingly.

And JT. I think its 7 years training. That's a hell of a slog.

Jacqui-A complaint could have been made to the Royal Vet College and a civil case could have been constructed, but its not going to happen because of the potential costs.

[Lotty]

A vet has so many species to study, not just the human body that doctors have. I think this is why it's hard to become a vet, you to be among the very top students to qualify. Still, no excuse for seemingly unregulated, astronomical fees.

[johntaylor49]

Talking of Castration, did you know that the traditional method for assassinating the Sultan, (and a few were, the Janissaries were all powerful and had a few "done!" was crushing the testicles?? The pain and realisation caused a shock that would kill the Sultan! (Or so history has it, maybe if it didn't work the sharp sword would do the trick   )

Just thought I would throw that in, totally irrelevant really!

[suehugh]

Totally irrelevant, but prompts the question where are they now.
The Sultans, or their descendants.
And what the price of Efes was athe time of the last Sultan compared to now